Ted Kennedy
Senior Senator from Massachusetts
Incumbent
Assumed office  November 6, 1962 Serving with John Kerry
Preceded by	Benjamin A. Smith II
16th United States Senate Majority Whip
In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1971
Leader	Mike Mansfield
Preceded by	Russell B. Long
Succeeded by	Robert Byrd
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	James Eastland
Succeeded by	Strom Thurmond
Born	February 22, 1932 (1932-02-22) (age 76) Boston, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	1. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. } John Forbes Kerry (born December 11 1943 is an American Politician who is currently serving his fourth term as the junior United States Senator Benjamin Atwood Smith II ( March 16, 1916 – September 6, 1991) was briefly a United States Senator from the U The Assistant Majority and' Minority Leaders of the United States Senate' (commonly called Senate Majority and' Minority Whips) are the second-ranking Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Michael Joseph Mansfield (March 16 1903 – October 5 2001 was an American Democratic politician and the longest-serving Majority Leader of the United States Russell Billiu Long ( November 3, 1918 – May 9, 2003) was an American politician who served in the United States Senate Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a Standing committee of the United States Senate, the Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 James Oliver Eastland ( November 28, 1904 – February 19, 1986) was an American politician from Mississippi who served James Strom Thurmond ( December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. This article refers to a political Epithet; for information about the U Joan Bennett Kennedy (1958–1982, div. ) 2. Victoria Reggie Kennedy (from 1992)
Alma mater	Harvard University (1956) University of Virginia School of Law (1959)
Profession	politician, lawyer
Net Worth	$43–162 million (USD) [1]
Religion	Roman Catholic
Website	Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (born February 22, 1932) is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. In office since November 1962, Kennedy is the second most senior member of the Senate, after President pro tempore of the United States Senate Robert Byrd of West Virginia. The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by ^[2][3] The most prominent living member of the Kennedy family, he is the youngest brother of the late President John F. Kennedy and the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the father of Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy. The Kennedy family are a family descending from the marriage of the Irish-Americans Joseph P The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy (November 20 1925 – June 6 1968 also called RFK, was the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and a This article is about the current member of the United States House of Representatives Kennedy is also the sole surviving son of Joseph Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, and one of three of their surviving children (along with Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Jean Kennedy Smith). Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy Sr (September 6 1888 &ndash November 18 1969 was a prominent American businessman and political figure and the father of U Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy ( July 22, 1890 &ndash January 22, 1995) was the wife of Joseph Kennedy and the mother of President Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver (born July 10 1921 is a member of the Kennedy family and helped to found the Special Olympics as a national event Jean Kennedy Smith was born Jean Ann Kennedy on February 20 1928 in Brookline Massachusetts, the eighth of the nine children of Joseph P

Ted Kennedy is a staunch advocate of liberal principles, and is one of the most influential and enduring icons of his party. Liberalism in the United States is a broad political and philosophical mindset favoring individual Liberty, and opposing restrictions on liberty whether they come from

On May 20, 2008, doctors announced that Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor, diagnosed after he experienced a seizure at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, Massachusetts the previous weekend. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Malignant (from the Latin roots mal- = "bad" and -genus = "born" is a medical term used to describe a severe and progressively worsening disease A brain tumor is any intracranial Tumor created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the Brain itself ( Neurons The Kennedy Compound or Hyannis Port Historic District is the name given to six Acres (24000 m² of waterfront property along Nantucket Sound in Hyannis is the largest of seven villages in the town of Barnstable Massachusetts, on Cape Cod ^[4] On June 2, 2008, Kennedy underwent brain surgery at Duke University Hospital. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Duke University Health System, combines the Duke University School of Medicine, the Duke University School of Nursing, the Duke Clinic and the member hospitals ^[5]

Contents 1 Childhood and youth 2 Marriages and family 3 Senate career 3.1 Committee Assignments 4 Chappaquiddick incident 5 Presidential bid 5.1 Presidential endorsements 6 Democratic Party influence 7 Political record 7.1 Abortion 7.2 Immigration policy 7.3 Gun control 7.4 Energy policy 7.5 War on Terrorism 7.6 War in Iraq 7.7 No Child Left Behind 7.8 Northern Ireland 7.9 Judicial appointments 7.10 Same sex marriage 7.11 Minimum wage 7.12 Environmental record 7.13 Student Financial Aid 8 Health 9 Electoral history 10 References 11 Further reading 12 External links

Childhood and youth

Kennedy is the youngest of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald, a prominent Irish-American family. Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy Sr (September 6 1888 &ndash November 18 1969 was a prominent American businessman and political figure and the father of U Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy ( July 22, 1890 &ndash January 22, 1995) was the wife of Joseph Kennedy and the mother of President He attended the Fessenden School, and later Milton Academy and entered Harvard College in 1950, where he resided in Winthrop House. The Fessenden School is a private day and Boarding school for boys founded in 1903 by Fredrick Fessenden. Milton Academy is a private, preparatory, Coeducational boarding and Day school in Milton Massachusetts. Harvard College is the undergraduate section and oldest school of Harvard University, a Private university in the United States founded in 1636 by the Massachusetts John Winthrop House is one of twelve undergraduate residences at Harvard College and home to slightly under 400 students Kennedy was also a member of the Owl Club. He was expelled from Harvard in May 1951 after he was caught cheating during a Spanish examination. ^[6] Kennedy enlisted in in the United States Army for two years and was assigned to the SHAPE headquarters in Paris. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe ( SHAPE) is the central command of NATO Military forces Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city He eventually re-entered Harvard, graduating in 1956. ^[2] In the 1955 Harvard-Yale football game, which Yale won 21–7, Kennedy caught Harvard's only touchdown pass. The Game (always capitalized is a title given to several US College football rivalry games but most particularly the annual contest between Harvard ^[2] In 1958, he attended the Hague Academy of International Law. The Hague Academy of International Law is a center for high-level Education in both public and private International law housed in the Peace Palace in He earned his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he was the winner of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition,^[7] and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1959. The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research ^[8] While he was in law school, he managed his brother John's 1958 Senate re-election campaign. John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of The US Senate election 1958 was an election for the United States Senate which occurred in the middle of President Dwight D

Marriages and family

Kennedy's home is in Hyannis, Massachusetts, where he lives with his second wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, a Washington lawyer and the daughter of Louisiana judge Edmund Reggie, and her children from a previous marriage, Curran and Caroline. Hyannis is the largest of seven villages in the town of Barnstable Massachusetts, on Cape Cod Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Edmund M Reggie (born July 19, 1926) is a Democratic Politician and former city Judge from Louisiana. Victoria is president and co-founder of Common Sense about Kids and Guns,^[9] an advocacy group that seeks to reduce gun deaths and injuries to children in the United States. His first marriage was to Virginia Joan Bennett, whom he met while delivering a speech at Manhattanville College and married on November 29, 1958, in Bronxville, New York). Manhattanville College is a private Coeducational Liberal arts college located in Purchase, New York, USA. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Bronxville is a village within the town of Eastchester, New York. They divorced in 1982. Their children together are Kara Anne (born February 27, 1960), Edward Jr. (born September 26, 1961), and Patrick (born July 14, 1967). Events 1560 - The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Edward Moore Kennedy Jr (born September 26, 1961) is the elder son of U Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This article is about the current member of the United States House of Representatives Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Kara married Michael Allen on September 9, 1990, in Centerville, Massachusetts. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Centerville is a village in the town of Barnstable Massachusetts. They have two children: Grace Kennedy Allen (born September 19, 1994, in Washington, D.C.), and Max Greathouse Allen (born December 20, 1996, in Rockville, Maryland). Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Events 69 - Vespasian, formerly a general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of Emperor. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Rockville is the County seat of Montgomery County Maryland, United States. Kennedy has five grandchildren. After his brothers John and Robert were assassinated in 1963 and 1968 respectively, he took on the role of surrogate father for his brothers' 13 children. ^[10]

Senate career

In 1960, John Kennedy was elected President of the United States and vacated his Massachusetts Senate seat. Ted would not be eligible to fill his brother's vacant Senate seat until February 22, 1962, when he would turn thirty. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Therefore the President-elect asked Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo to name a Kennedy family friend Benjamin A. Smith II to fill out John's term (under the authority of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, and state law). John Foster Furcolo ( July 29, 1911 July 5, 1995) was a member of the Democratic Party who served as Governor of Massachusetts a member of the Benjamin Atwood Smith II ( March 16, 1916 – September 6, 1991) was briefly a United States Senator from the U The Seventeenth Amendment ( Amendment XVII) of the United States Constitution was passed by the Senate on June 12 1911 and by the House on May 13 1912 This kept the seat open for Ted. ^[11] In 1962, Kennedy was elected to the Senate from Massachusetts in a special election. A by-election or bye-election (called special election in the United States) is an Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant He was elected to a full six-year term in 1964 and was reelected in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006. The US Senate election 1964 was an election for the United States Senate which coincided with the election of President Lyndon B The 1970 United States Senate election was an election for the United States Senate which was a midterm election in the term of President Richard Nixon The United States Senate election 1976 was an election for the United States Senate that coincided with Democratic Jimmy Carter 's election The United States Senate election of 1982-11-02 was an election for the United States Senate following the Republican gains in 1980. The United States Senate election of November 8 1988 was an election for the United States Senate in which in spite of the Republican victory by George The US Senate election 1994 was an election held on November 8 in which the Republican Party was able to take control of the Senate from the Democrats The US Senate election 2000 was an election for one-third of the seats in the United States Senate which coincided with the election of George W Elections for the United States Senate were held on November 7[[ 006]] with 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate being contested ^[2]

Kennedy is the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions He also serves on the Judiciary Committee, and the Armed Services Committee. The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a Standing committee of the United States Senate, the The Committee on Armed Services is a Committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the He is also a member of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, a founder of the Congressional Friends of Ireland and a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.^[2]

His brother, President John F. The Joint Economic Committee (JEC is one of four standing Joint committees of the U The Congressional Friends of Ireland or the Friends of Ireland in the United States Congress is an organization in the United States Congress. The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (on the building itself called the John F Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963, the year after Ted was first elected to the Senate. The assassination of John F Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, took place on Friday November 22 1963 in Dallas Texas The next year, 1964, Kennedy was in a plane crash in which the pilot and Edward Moss, one of Kennedy's aides, were killed. ^[12] He was pulled from the wreckage by fellow senator Birch E. Bayh II (D-Ind.) and spent weeks in a hospital recovering from a severe back injury, a punctured lung, broken ribs and internal bleeding. Birch Evans Bayh II (born January 22, 1928) is a former United States Senator from Indiana (1963 to 1981 The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union ^[13][14]

In 1968, his last surviving brother, Robert, was assassinated during his bid to be nominated as the Democratic candidate for the presidency; Ted Kennedy delivered a eulogy at Robert's funeral. A eulogy is a speech or writing in Praise of a person or thing ^[15] The 1993 book The Last Brother by Joe McGinniss portrayed Kennedy as particularly devastated by the death of Robert, as Ted was closer to Robert than to any other member of the Kennedy family. Joe McGinniss (born 1942 is an American author of True crime and non-fiction novels ^[16] In January 1969, Kennedy defeated Louisiana Senator Russell B. Long to become Senate Majority Whip. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Russell Billiu Long ( November 3, 1918 – May 9, 2003) was an American politician who served in the United States Senate The Assistant Majority and' Minority Leaders of the United States Senate' (commonly called Senate Majority and' Minority Whips) are the second-ranking ^[17] He would serve as Whip until January 1971, when he was defeated by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. ^[18]

Committee Assignments

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Subcommittee on Personnel
  • Subcommittee on SeaPower (Chairman)
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Chairman)
  • As chairman of the full committee, Sen. The Committee on Armed Services is a Committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Sea Power is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee. The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions Kennedy is an ex officio member of all subcommittees.
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights
  • Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law
  • Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
  • Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
• Joint Economic Committee

Chappaquiddick incident

Main article: Chappaquiddick incident

The Chappaquiddick incident refers to the circumstances surrounding the 1969 death of Mary Jo Kopechne, a former staff member in Senator Robert F. The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a Standing committee of the United States Senate, the The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution is one of seven subcommittees within the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law is one of seven subcommittees within the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs is one of seven subcommittees within the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Refugees and Border Security is one of seven subcommittees within the Senate Judiciary Committee. The United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism Technology and Homeland Security is one of seven subcommittees within the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Joint Economic Committee (JEC is one of four standing Joint committees of the U The "Chappaquiddick incident" refers to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, a former campaign worker for the assassinated U Mary Jo Kopechne ( July 26 1940 &ndash July 18 1969) was an American Teacher, Secretary and Administrator Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. Edward Kennedy was driving a car with Kopechne as his passenger when the Senator drove off Dike Bridge into the channel between Chappaquiddick Island and Martha's Vineyard. Chappaquiddick Island is a small island off the eastern end of the larger island of Martha's Vineyard and is part of the town of Edgartown Massachusetts Martha's Vineyard (adjoining the smaller Chappaquiddick Island) is an Island off the US east coast to the south of Cape Cod, both The Senator swam to safety, but Kopechne died in the car. Kennedy left the scene and did not call authorities until after Kopechne's body was discovered the following day. He pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was sentenced to two months in jail, suspended. A suspended sentence is a legal construct Unless a minimum punishment is prescribed by law the Court has the power to suspend the passing of sentence (generally

In January 1970, an inquest into Kopechne's death took place in Edgartown. At the request of Kennedy's lawyers, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered the inquest be conducted in secret. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ( SJC) is the highest Court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ^[19][20] Judge James A. Boyle presided over the inquest. His conclusions were as follows:

• "Kopechne and Kennedy did not intend to return to Edgartown" at the time they left the party.
• "Kennedy did not intend to drive to the ferry slip".
• "[Kennedy]'s turn onto Dike Road was intentional".

Judge Boyle also said that "negligent driving appears to have contributed to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne". ^[20]

Under Massachusetts law Boyle could have ordered Kennedy's arrest, but he chose not to do so. ^[20] District Attorney Dinis chose not to pursue Kennedy for manslaughter, despite Judge Boyle's conclusions. Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being in a manner considered by law as less culpable than Murder.

Presidential bid

Kennedy deflected supporters who urged him to run for President in 1972 and 1976 by citing family concerns, in light of his brothers' assassinations. He finally threw his hat into the ring for the Democratic nomination in the 1980 presidential election by launching an unusual, insurgent campaign against the incumbent president, Jimmy Carter, a member of his own party. The United States presidential election of 1980 featured a contest between incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter and his Republican opponent Ronald Reagan James Earl "Jimmy" Carter Jr (born October 1 1924 was the thirty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981 and the recipient of the 2002 Despite much early support, his bid was ultimately unsuccessful. Carter was highly unpopular at the time of Kennedy's announcement, and Kennedy could have expected to do well against him, but the Iran hostage crisis gave President Carter a large boost in the polls that lasted for several months. The Iran hostage crisis ( Persian: تصرف سفارت آمریکا was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States where 52 The upswing in Carter's popularity knocked the wind out of Kennedy's candidacy, which was predicated on dislodging an unpopular president. In addition, the Chappaquiddick incident still dogged Kennedy, and his opponents often invoked the highly recognizable melody of Simon & Garfunkel's 1970 hit song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" to remind voters of the tragedy and scandal. Simon & Garfunkel are an American Singer-songwriter duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. " Bridge over Troubled Water " is the title song of Simon and Garfunkel 's final album together Bridge over Troubled Water, released January 1970

Kennedy's campaign received substantial negative press from what pundits criticized as a rambling response to the question "Why do you want to be President?" during an interview with Roger Mudd of CBS News in 1979. Roger Mudd (born February 9, 1928, Washington DC) is an Emmy Award -winning U CBS News is the news division of American Television and Radio network CBS. ^[21] Kennedy won 10 presidential primaries against Carter, who won 24. Eventually, he bowed out of the race, but delivered a rousing speech before the 1980 Democratic National Convention in New York City that many consider to be one of his finest moments. The 1980 National Convention of the US Democratic Party nominated President Jimmy Carter for President and Vice President Walter Mondale The City of New York ^[22]

Presidential endorsements

While Kennedy himself did not run, his endorsements for other candidates were commonly viewed as very important. In 1988, he supported the successful bid of Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis to win the nomination. Michael Stanley Dukakis (born November 3, 1933) is an American Democratic politician former Governor of Massachusetts, and was the Democratic ^[23] Four years later (1992) he initially backed former fellow Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas, who lost to Bill Clinton. Paul Efthemios Tsongas (ˈsɒŋgəs ( February 14, 1941 – January 18, 1997) was a United States Senator from Massachusetts William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States ^[23] In 2000, like nearly all Democratic elected officials, Kennedy supported Vice President Al Gore against former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley. Albert Arnold Gore Jr (born March 31 1948 is an American environmental Activist, author Businessperson, former Politician, and former New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. William Warren "Bill" Bradley (born July 28 1943 is an American hall of fame Basketball player Rhodes scholar, and former ^[23] In 2004, he backed fellow Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who won the nomination but lost to incumbent George W. Bush. } John Forbes Kerry (born December 11 1943 is an American Politician who is currently serving his fourth term as the junior United States Senator George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. ^[23] Currently, Kennedy is supporting Illinois Senator Barack Obama. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. ^[23]

Democratic Party influence

Since his presidential bid, Kennedy has become one of the most recognizable and influential members of the party, and is sometimes called a "Democratic icon". ^[24] In April 2006, Kennedy was selected by Time as one of "America's 10 Best Senators"; the magazine noted that he had "amassed a titanic record of legislation affecting the lives of virtually every man, woman and child in the country" and that "by the late 1990s, the liberal icon had become such a prodigious cross-aisle dealer that Republican leaders began pressuring party colleagues not to sponsor bills with him". Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and ^[25]

In 2004, Kennedy was involved in the failed presidential bid of his fellow Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, speaking for Kerry multiple times and lending his chief of staff, Mary Beth Cahill, to the Kerry campaign. Mary Beth Cahill is an American Political figure, who served as the Campaign manager of Senator John Kerry 's campaign for Kennedy stated that he would have supported Kerry should he have chosen to run for president in 2008. On January 28, 2008, Kennedy endorsed Senator Barack Obama in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Barack Obama, the junior United States Senator from Illinois, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in

In 2006, Kennedy released a children's book My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C. My Senator and Me A Dog's-Eye View of Washington DC is a 2006 Children's book by Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. ^[26] Also in 2006, Kennedy released a political history entitled America Back on Track. ^[27]

As of 2008, Kennedy is the second-longest serving current senator, trailing only Robert Byrd. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Kennedy won an eighth full (and ninth overall) term in 2006. Elections for the United States Senate were held on November 7[[ 006]] with 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate being contested If he serves out his full six-year current term, he will have served in the U. S. Senate for fifty years. Currently, Senator Kennedy is the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions

Political record

Abortion

Although he has been a staunch pro-choice advocate for the past 30 years, Kennedy adopted this position only after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Overview See also Ethical aspects of abortion Pro-choice advocates emphasize their beliefs that having a child is a personal choice that affects a woman's body and Roe v Wade, 410 US 113 (1973 is a controversial United States Supreme Court case that resulted in a Landmark decision regarding Prior to that, he held a pro-life position. Overview See also Ethical aspects of abortion Pro-life individuals generally believe that human life should be valued either from conception or Implantation A letter to a constituent, dated August 3, 1971 opposes "the legalization of abortion on demand" saying, "While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Events 8 - Roman Empire General Tiberius defeats Dalmatians on the river Bathinus. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. An Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized — the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old. "^[28] Kennedy's reversal on this issue after Roe v. Wade became a source of continuing dispute between him and the Catholic Church, of which he is a member.

In 1987, Kennedy delivered an impassioned speech condemning Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork as a "right-wing extremist" and warning that "Robert Bork's America" would be one marked by back alley abortions and other backward practices. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Robert Heron Bork (born March 1, 1927) is a conservative American legal scholar who advocates the judicial philosophy of Originalism. In Politics, right-wing, the political right, and the Right are positions that uphold traditional values and/or authorities Kennedy's strong opposition to Bork's nomination was important to the Senate's rejection of Bork's candidacy. In recent years, he has argued that much of the debate over abortion is a false dichotomy. The Informal fallacy of false dilemma (also called false Dichotomy, the either-or fallacy, or bifurcation) involves a situation in Speaking at the National Press Club in 2005, he remarked, "Surely, we can all agree that abortion should be rare, and that we should do all we can to help women avoid the need to face that decision. The National Press Club is one of the world's leading professional organizations for journalists "^[29] He voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (Public Law 108-105 HR 760 S 3 18 U ^[30]

Immigration policy

Kennedy was a strong supporter of the 1965 Hart-Celler Act — signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson — which dramatically changed U. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ( Hart-Celler Act, INS Act of 1965,) abolished the national-origin Quotas that had been in place in the The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by S. immigration policy. ^[31] "The bill will not flood our cities with immigrants. It will not upset the ethnic mix of our society. It will not relax the standards of admission. It will not cause American workers to lose their jobs. "^[32] Kennedy is now the chairman of the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship, and remains a strong advocate for immigrants.

This legislation replaced the Immigration Act of 1924, which favored immigrants from northern and western Europe. The Immigration Act of 1924, or Johnson-Reed Act, including the National Origins Act, Asian Exclusion Act, (43 Statutes-at-Large 153 was a United Proponents of the 1965 bill argued that immigration laws and quotas were discriminatory, and that American immigration policy should accept people not on the basis of their nationality. This also abolished the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The Chinese Exclusion Act was a United States federal law passed on May 6 1882 following revisions made in 1880 to the Burlingame Treaty of 1868

Kennedy subsequently took a lead role in several other would-be immigration measures, including the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033) ("McCain-Kennedy") in 2005 and the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007, a bipartisan measure worked out with President George W. Bush which ultimately failed on the floor of the U. Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (" McCain-Kennedy Bill ") was an Immigration reform bill introduced in the United States Senate on The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, or in its full name the Secure Borders Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 ( was a bill discussed in George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. S. Senate. Among other reforms, the 1033 legislation proposed allowing "undocumented immigrants in the U. S. to come out of the shadows, submit to background checks, and register for a legal status. Immigrants and their families would have six years to earn permanent residence and ultimately citizenship. "^[33]

Gun control

Kennedy has been a staunch supporter of gun control initiatives. Gun politics in the United States, incorporating the political aspects of Gun politics, and firearms rights has long been among the most controversial and intractable issues In 2006 he was one of the 16 senators who voted against the Vitter Amendment, which prohibited the confiscation of legally-possessed firearms during a disaster. The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006 was a bill introduced in the United States Congress intended to prohibit the confiscation of legally-possessed

Energy policy

Kennedy has generally favored alternative energy sources and opposed additional Alaska oil drilling. However, he opposes the Cape Wind wind turbine project which would occur near his home. The Cape Wind Project is a $900 million proposed offshore Wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound off Cape Cod in Massachusetts ( proposed ^[34][35]

War on Terrorism

Kennedy was a supporter of the American-led 2001 overthrow of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev ( Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachyov;; born 2 March 1931 in Privolnoye Stavropol Krai) is a Russian politician The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Kennedy joined other Democratic leaders in the Senate to write letters to Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2007, urging him to take up legislation that would block the warrantless spying program of the Bush Administration. Harry Mason Reid (born December 2 1939 is the senior United States Senator from Nevada and a member of the Democratic Party, as well as Among authors of other letters to Reid on this subject were Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joseph Biden, Russ Feingold and Barbara Boxer. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26 1947 is the junior United States Senator from Russell Dana "Russ" Feingold (born March 2, 1953) is an American politician from the U Barbara Levy Boxer (born 11 November 1940 is an American Democratic Politician and the current junior U ^[36]

War in Iraq

Kennedy has been a vocal critic of the American-led 2003 invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign He has also been a harsh critic of the way the invasion of Iraq was planned and conducted by the Bush administration. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The Presidency of George W Bush began on his inauguration on January 20, 2001 as the 43rd and current President of the United States of America Kennedy also has said that the best vote he had ever cast in the Senate was his vote against giving President Bush the authority to use force against Iraq. ^[37]

On September 27, 2004, Kennedy made a speech on the Senate floor regarding the war in Iraq, just prior to the 2004 U.S. Presidential election. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The United States presidential election of 2004 was held on Tuesday November 2, 2004, to elect the President of the United States. ^[38]

In early 2007, preceding President Bush's announcement that he would initiate a troop surge in Iraq, Senator Kennedy made a speech at the National Press Club opposing it. ^[39] Kennedy was the first Senator in the 110th Congress to propose legislation opposing the President's troop surge.

No Child Left Behind

Kennedy was a leading member of the bipartisan team that wrote the controversial No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which, according to both Kennedy and President Bush, was a compromise. For similarly-named academic institutions see Education in Boston MA. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110 often abbreviated in print as NCLB and sometimes shortened in pronunciation to "nickelbee" is a controversial He then worked to get it passed in a Republican controlled Congress, despite the opposition of members from both parties.

Northern Ireland

Kennedy has been outspoken in his views about Northern Ireland's constitutional question. In October 1971, he called for the withdrawal of British troops from Northern Ireland, and for all political participants there to begin talks on creating a United Ireland. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of A United Ireland is the term used to refer to a sovereign state encompassing the whole of the island of Ireland. ^[40][41]

In early 2005 however, Kennedy publicly snubbed Gerry Adams by canceling a previously-arranged meeting, citing the Provisional IRA's "ongoing criminal activity and contempt for the rule of law. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the " This decision was a direct result of the Northern Bank robbery in December 2004 and the murder of Robert McCartney the following month. The Northern Bank robbery was a large robbery of cash from the Donegall Square headquarters of the Northern Bank in Belfast, Northern Ireland Robert McCartney (1971 &ndash 31 January 2005) was the victim of a murder in Belfast, Northern Ireland, allegedly carried out by members of ^[42]

Judicial appointments

A longtime member of Senate Judiciary Committee (and its chairman from 1979 to 1981), Kennedy is an important Democratic voice during debates and confirmation votes on United States Supreme Court nominees. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. He, with Daniel Inouye, elected the same year, has voted on more appointments than every other Senator except Robert Byrd. is an American politician who currently serves as the senior United States Senator from Hawaii. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party.

Kennedy supported nominations of Abe Fortas and Thurgood Marshall (both by President Lyndon B. Johnson). Abraham Fortas ( June 19, 1910 – April 5, 1982) was a US Supreme Court associate justice. Thurgood Marshall ( July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993) was an American Jurist and the first African American Of Richard Nixon's nominees, he backed successful nominations of Warren Burger (for Chief Justice), Harry Blackmun and Lewis F. Powell. Warren Earl Burger ( September 17 1907 – June 25 1995) was Chief Justice of the United States from 1969 to 1986 Harry Andrew Blackmun ( November 12, 1908 &ndash March 4, 1999) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Lewis Franklin Powell Jr ( September 19, 1907 &ndash August 25, 1998) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Like most of Democrats he opposed G. Harrold Carswell and Clement Haynsworth (both rejected). George Harrold Carswell ( December 22, 1919 – July 13, 1992) was a Federal Judge and an unsuccessful nominee to the United States Clement Furman Haynsworth Jr ( October 30, 1912 – November 22, 1989) was a United States judge and an unsuccessful nominee for He also voted against confirmation of William H. Rehnquist as Associate Justice, although he was easily confirmed. William Hubbs Rehnquist (October 1 1924 – September 3 2005 was an American lawyer, jurist, and a political figure who served as an Associate Justice Kennedy supported Gerald Ford's nomination of John Paul Stevens, who was confirmed unanimously. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr (July 14 1913 December 26 2006 was the thirty-eighth President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 and the fortieth Vice President John Paul Stevens (born April 20, 1920) is currently the most senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Of Ronald Reagan's appointees, he supported Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy (confirmed), but opposed Robert Bork (rejected, below). Sandra Day O'Connor (born March 26, 1930) is an American Jurist. (born March 11, 1936) is an American Jurist and the second most senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Anthony McLeod Kennedy (born July 23, 1936) has been an Associate Justice of the U Robert Heron Bork (born March 1, 1927) is a conservative American legal scholar who advocates the judicial philosophy of Originalism. Kennedy once again opposed Rehnquist, this time for Chief Justice (Rehnquist was confirmed). ^[43]

Kennedy was one of the leaders of opposition against nomination of Robert Bork. Robert Heron Bork (born March 1, 1927) is a conservative American legal scholar who advocates the judicial philosophy of Originalism. Within 45 minutes of Bork's nomination to the Court he took to the Senate floor with a strong condemnation of Bork in a nationally televised speech, declaring, "Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of government. "^[44]. Bork's nomination was rejected.

Kennedy opposed both of George H. W. Bush's successful nominations - David Souter and Clarence Thomas^[45][46][47], and supported Bill Clinton's Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12 1924 served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 For the Australian artist see David Henry Souter. David Hackett Souter (ˈsutɚ born September 17, 1939) has been an Clarence Thomas (born June 23, 1948) is an American Jurist. He has been serving as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg (born March 15 1933 Brooklyn New York) is an Associate Justice on the U Stephen Gerald Breyer (born August 15 1938 is an American Attorney and Jurist. ^[48][49]

Most recently, he strongly opposed nominations of both Chief Justice John G. Roberts^[50] and Justice Samuel Alito^[51], both nominated by President George W. Bush. John Glover Roberts Jr (born January 27 1955) is the seventeenth and current Chief Justice of the United States. Samuel Anthony Alito Jr (born April 1, 1950) is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States.

From 2001 to 2003, Kennedy led a forty-five member all Democrat Senate filibuster to block the appointment of former assistant Solicitor General Miguel Estrada to the United States court of appeals. A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body The United States Solicitor General is the individual appointed to argue for the Government of the United States in front of the Supreme Court of the United States Miguel Eduardo Estrada Rijana (born September 25, 1961) is an American Lawyer who became embroiled in controversy following his 2001 The United States courts of appeals (or circuit courts) are the intermediate appellate courts When Estrada withdrew his nomination, Kennedy proclaimed it was a "a victory for the Constitution". ^[52]

In 1987, Kennedy made an influential floor speech in the Senate against the nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court (referenced above), warning against Bork's record on abortion, defendants' rights, civil rights and more. Robert Heron Bork (born March 1, 1927) is a conservative American legal scholar who advocates the judicial philosophy of Originalism. A supreme court, also called a court of last resort or high court, is in some Jurisdictions the highest judicial body within that jurisdiction's Bork was ultimately defeated, and Kennedy was credited with leading the Democratic anti-Bork effort. But not all of the anti-Bork Democrats supported Kennedy's famous speech. Senator Joseph Biden has called Kennedy's speech "technically accurate but unfair” and said that it “drew lines in ways that were starker than reality”. ^[53]

Same sex marriage

Kennedy is considered to be one of the biggest advocates of LGBT rights in the U. LGBT (also GLBT) is an initialism referring collectively to Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and Transgender / transsexual S. Senate,^[54][55][56]and he has received ratings of 100% by the Human Rights Campaign for the 107th, 108th and 109th sessions of U.S. Congress^[57] indicating that he voted in support of HRC's slate of pro-gay legislative issues. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses He is a supporter of same-sex marriage^[58] and was one of the fourteen senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Same-sex marriage (also referred to as gay marriage) is a term for a legally or Socially recognized Marriage between two people of the same The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, is the short title of a Federal law of the United States passed on September 21 1996 as Public Law No ^[59] He also voted against the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and 2006. The Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA (also referred to by proponents as the Marriage Protection Amendment) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution ^[60][61] Kennedy's state of Massachusetts is one of two states, alongside California, which have legalized same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage in the US state of Massachusetts began on May 17, 2004, as a result of the Supreme Judicial Court Same-sex marriage, also referred to as gay marriage, is a Marriage between two persons of the same sex Same-sex marriage in the United States - editing that article for size and clarity

Minimum wage

Kennedy has been a longtime advocate of raising the minimum wage. A minimum wage is the lowest hourly daily or monthly Wage that employers may legally pay to employees or workers He helped pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, which incrementally raises the minimum wage from $5. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 ( Title VIII is an Act of Congress that amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and gradually raises the federal 15 to $7. 25 over a two year period. The bill also included some controversial tax cuts for small businesses and higher taxes for many $1 million-plus executives. Kennedy was quoted as saying, "Passing this wage hike represents a small, but necessary step to help lift America's working poor out of the ditches of poverty and onto the road toward economic prosperity". ^[62]

Environmental record

Kennedy has a strong pro-environment voting record. ^[63] He has voted in favor of disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR, removing oil and gas exploration subsidies, including oil and gas smokestacks in mercury regulations and reducing funds to road building in forest. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ( ANWR) is a National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska. He has voted against reducing funding to renewable and solar energy projects, requiring ethanol in gasoline, Bush Administration Energy Policy and approving a nuclear waste repository. ^[64] Kennedy has been a critic of the Bush Administration’s Environmental actions and has stated "We must not let the administration distort science and rewrite and manipulate scientific reports in other areas. We must not let it turn the Environmental Protection Agency into the Environmental Pollution Agency". ^[65]

Controversially, he opposed the Cape Wind project, the country's first off-shore wind farm, which many accuse Kennedy of doing out of NIMBYism. NIMBY is an Acronym for Not In My Back Yard. The term is used to describe opposition to a new project by residents even if they themselves and those around ^[66]

Student Financial Aid

Kennedy has opposed federal attempts to cut student financial aid, such as Ronald Reagan's 1986 planned limitations on Guaranteed Student Loans to students whose families earned over $32,500 a year, and a planned $4,000 cap on all federal aid and benefits that a student could receive in one year. Following the Republican takeover of Congress in November 1994, there was a renewed effort on the part of key Republican leaders to balance the federal budget by cutting financial aid. The new cuts, which Kennedy also opposed, involved reducing the interest the federal government would pay on student loans, and on President Clinton’s direct lending program. Kennedy supported the College Affordability and Access Act of 2007 which provides $20 billion in new federal financial aid investments for low- and middle-income students and their families. ^[67]

Health

Kennedy has suffered from chronic pain ever since his 1964 plane crash, which crushed three vertebrae. His campaigns have periodically had to accommodate this condition, for instance, by avoiding long walks on hard factory floors or extended handshaking sessions. ^[68]

In October 2007, Kennedy had surgery to clear a blocked left carotid artery. In Human anatomy, the common carotid artery is an Artery that supplies the head and neck with Oxygenated blood; it divides in the neck to form the ^[69]

On May 17, 2008, Kennedy was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital from the Kennedy Compound after feeling ill and consulting with his physician, and then was subsequently transferred by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Cape Cod Hospital is a not-for-profit regional medical center located in Hyannis Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Hospital ( Mass General or MGH) is a Teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and a Biomedical research ^[70] According to multiple sources, Kennedy was suffering from symptoms of a stroke. A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain ^[71] It was later reported that Kennedy had suffered two seizures, one initially at his Hyannis Port home and another on a helicopter en route to Massachusetts General Hospital from Cape Cod Hospital. An epileptic seizure is caused by excessive and/or hypersynchronous electrical Neuronal activity and is usually self-limiting Hyannis is the largest of seven villages in the town of Barnstable Massachusetts, on Cape Cod ^[72]

On May 20, doctors announced that Kennedy has a malignant glioma, a type of cancerous brain tumor. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Malignant (from the Latin roots mal- = "bad" and -genus = "born" is a medical term used to describe a severe and progressively worsening disease A glioma is a type of Cancer that starts in the brain or spine Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled A brain tumor is any intracranial Tumor created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the Brain itself ( Neurons ^[73] The treatment for this condition is often surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, but this will depend on the type, location and degree of malignancy. Kennedy's own doctors have not publicly released a prognosis, but experts report that the median survival rate for patients with this condition is 15 months. ^[74] Kennedy left the hospital and returned to Cape Cod on May 21. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Doctors said that he had "recovered remarkably quickly" from the biopsy in which the tumor was found and that he was waiting for additional test results as well as treatment plans. ^[75]

On June 2, 2008, Kennedy underwent brain surgery at Duke University Hospital in an attempt to remove as much of the brain tumor as possible. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Duke University Health System, combines the Duke University School of Medicine, the Duke University School of Nursing, the Duke Clinic and the member hospitals ^[76][77] Surgery was considered the most aggressive route possible in treating the tumor; his doctors had not previously mentioned the possibility of surgery to the public. ^[76] The surgery, conducted by Dr. Allan Friedman, lasted for about three and a half hours, and according to Friedman, it was successful in its goals. Friedman said that the surgery was performed on Kennedy while he was awake and that he did not expect Kennedy to suffer any permanent neurological effects from the surgery. Kennedy planned to spend a brief period recuperating from the surgery before beginning chemotherapy and radiation treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. ^[77] He left the hospital at Duke on June 9, returning to Cape Cod. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits ^[78]

Opinions vary regarding Kennedy's prognosis. The surgery can extend survival time but only by a matter of months. ^[5] John H. Sampson, a neurosurgeon who worked with Friedman, stated: "It almost certainly won't be curative, but it should enhance the chances that additional treatment will be effective. " Others noted that some people with similar tumors have survived for years. ^[77][79]

Electoral history

Main article: Electoral history of Ted Kennedy

References

Further reading

• Gary Allen (1981). For the country music artist see Gary Allan Gary Allen (1936 – 29 November 1986) was an American conservative journalist Ted Kennedy: In over His Head, Conservative Pr. ISBN 978-0892450206.
• Nellie Bly. (1996). The Kennedy Men: Three Generations of Sex, Scandal and Secrets. ISBN 1-57566-106-3.
• Richard E. Burke (1993). The Senator: My Ten Years With Ted Kennedy. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-95133-7.
• Adam Clymer (1999). Edward M. Kennedy: A Biography. Wm. Morrow & Company. ISBN 0-688-14285-0.
• Leo Damore (1988). Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover-Up. ISBN 0-89526-564-8.
• Murray Levin (1966). Dr Murray Burton Levin, PhD (1932-1999 was a Political science professor at Boston University from 1955 through his retirement in 1989 Kennedy Campaigning: the System and the Style as Practiced By Senator Edward Kennedy. . Beacon Press.
• Murray Levin (1980). Dr Murray Burton Levin, PhD (1932-1999 was a Political science professor at Boston University from 1955 through his retirement in 1989 Edward Kennedy: The Myth of Leadership. ISBN 0-395292492.

External links

Official sites

• Senate homepage
• Campaign homepage
• Committee for a Democratic Majority PAC founded by Kennedy to support and expand the Democratic majority in the Senate and House of Representatives

Kennedy in his own words

• Eulogy for Robert Kennedy: audio
• Webcast of Kennedy at a January 21, 2003 National Press Club event, via NPR: provides corroboration for his 2006 re-election run
• Ted Kennedy's 1980 Democratic National Convention Address
• Kennedy on Iraq at the National Press Club: Kennedy on the Iraq War, which he describes as "George Bush's Vietnam"

Nonpartisan information

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Staff salary data at LegiStorm. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress is a Biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress as The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D The Federal Election Commission (or FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the The Center for Responsive Politics (CRP is a nonpartisan research group based in Washington D Project Vote Smart ( PVS) is a Non-profit, Non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in com
• Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge. com
• Congressional profile at GovTrack. us
• FBI FOIA Investigation on Chappaquiddick
• New York Times — Edward Kennedy News collected news and commentary
• SourceWatch Congresspedia — Edward M. Kennedy profile

Other links providing info

• "Terror List Snag Nearly Grounded Ted Kennedy", USA Today, August 19, 2004
• Ted Kennedy at the Internet Movie Database

United States Senate
Preceded by Benjamin A. Smith II	United States Senator (Class 1) from Massachusetts November 6, 1962 – present Served alongside: Leverett Saltonstall, Edward Brooke, Paul Tsongas, John Kerry	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Russell B. Long	Senate Majority Whip Senate Democratic Whip 1969 – 1971	Succeeded by Robert C. Byrd
Preceded by James Eastland	Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee 1978 – 1981	Succeeded by Strom Thurmond
Preceded by Orrin Hatch	Chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee 1987 – 1995	Succeeded by Nancy Landon Kassebaum
Preceded by James Jeffords	Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee 2001 – 2003	Succeeded by Judd Gregg
Preceded by Michael Enzi	Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee 2007 – present	Incumbent
Order of precedence in the United States of America
Preceded by Robert Byrd (Dean of the Senate)	United States Senators by seniority 2nd	Succeeded by Daniel Inouye

Persondata
NAME	Kennedy, Edward Moore
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Kennedy, Ted
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American politician; Democratic Senator for Massachusetts
DATE OF BIRTH	February 22, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH	Boston, Massachusetts
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH

Events 43 BC - Octavian, later known as Augustus compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives Benjamin Atwood Smith II ( March 16, 1916 – September 6, 1991) was briefly a United States Senator from the U This is a chronological listing of the United States Senators from Massachusetts. Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Leverett A Saltonstall ( September 1, 1892 – June 17, 1979) was an American Republican politician who served as Governor Edward William Brooke III (born October 26, 1919) is an American Politician and was the first African American to be elected Paul Efthemios Tsongas (ˈsɒŋgəs ( February 14, 1941 – January 18, 1997) was a United States Senator from Massachusetts } John Forbes Kerry (born December 11 1943 is an American Politician who is currently serving his fourth term as the junior United States Senator Russell Billiu Long ( November 3, 1918 – May 9, 2003) was an American politician who served in the United States Senate The Assistant Majority and' Minority Leaders of the United States Senate' (commonly called Senate Majority and' Minority Whips) are the second-ranking The Assistant Majority and' Minority Leaders of the United States Senate' (commonly called Senate Majority and' Minority Whips) are the second-ranking Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. James Oliver Eastland ( November 28, 1904 – February 19, 1986) was an American politician from Mississippi who served The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a Standing committee of the United States Senate, the James Strom Thurmond ( December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and Orrin Grant Hatch (born March 22, 1934) is a Republican United States Senator from Utah, serving since 1977 The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker (born July 29, 1932) represented the State of Kansas in the United States Senate from 1978 to 1997 James Merrill "Jim" Jeffords (born May 11, 1934) is a former U The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions Judd Alan Gregg (born February 14 1947) is a former Governor of New Hampshire and current United States Senator serving as Ranking Michael Bradley "Mike" Enzi (born February 1 1944) is a United States Senator from Wyoming. The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions The United States Order of precedence is a nominal and symbolic hierarchy of important positions within the government of the United States. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. is an American politician who currently serves as the senior United States Senator from Hawaii. The Committee on Armed Services is a Committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the The United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP generally considers matters relating to health education labor and pensions The Joint Economic Committee (JEC is one of four standing Joint committees of the U The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a Standing committee of the United States Senate, the Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar.

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